Tenby

After visiting St David's, we drove across to Tenby in South Wales.  Tenby is a very pleasant seaside town with old city walls and views to nearby islands such as Caldy Island where monks have lived since the 6th century.

Significant portions of the old city walls still exist in Tenby.

There are lots of shops, restaurants and cafes, and the odd 'chippie'.

We strolled around, trying to decide where to eat dinner.

The flags of the EU, Wales and the U.K. After the shock announcement that Britain would leave the EU, we may not see flags like this draped together for much longer...

St David's

On 24 June, the four of us took another drive.  We drove first to Pentre Ifan, the site of a Neolithic wonder.  This rock was placed upon the other rocks by Neolithic people 5,500 years ago, and has perched there ever since, originally being part of a larger construction.

We drove to St David's, the city of the Patron Saint of Wales.  The above is the Cathedral.

St David's is one of the smallest cities in Britain.  Since it has a Cathedral, it can qualify as a city.

Next to the Cathedral is the ruin of St David's Bishop's Palace.

As far as ruins go, it's a pretty good ruin.  Rather different from how it looked in the 1340s when it was constructed, it still clearly shows where certain rooms were, the corridors, servants quarters, kitchen, storage areas and so forth.

Standing in the Great Chamber, looking to the Great Hall.

Steps leading into the Great Hall

Looking down into the Great Hall

Peering through a Palace window at the Cathedral of St David's.

Inside the Cathedral, which was huge.  I wondered if it were as big as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

This is a medieval game called Nine Men's Morris.  Instructions in how to play the game are shown below.

Referendum day

We went for a walk in and near the village of Bow Street today, 23 June 2016, an historic day in the history of the U.K. 

BBC Wales journalist and cameraman Craig Duggan films outside the village hall, serving as a polling booth in the referendum of 23 June 2016.  He told us the result would be very close.  One man drove by and shouted 'LEAVE!'.  Another drove past and yelled 'REMAIN!'

The village hall

Inside the polling station, people prepare to cast their vote.  Decision time:  should Britain remain in or leave the European Union?

On our walk, we stopped at the Crafts Centre for a coffee.

On our way back from our walk, we strolled down the field near Tom and Mag's house.

Later, we drove to Bwlch Nant yr Arian to witness the daily feeding of the Red Kites.

Some time back, Red Kites were on the brink of extinction but they have been restored in good numbers.  Jean, Carolyn and Neil watch the feeding.

Afterwards, we drove to Devil's Bridge.  Here, you see the original 11th century foot bridge.  Above it is the bridge of 1708, built for the horse and carriage.  In 1901, the top bridge was constructed for the new age of the motor car.  It's called Devil's Bridge because legend has it that the first bridge was built by the devil himself.

Looking down into the rapids of the river Mynach.

Harlech and Criccieth castles

We headed north this morning to see some of the action in North Wales.

First, we stopped in the town of Barmouth, where we thought it might rain.  Barmouth boasts a sandy beach that would fit Australian standards, but the day needed to be hotter to be more appealing as a place to come and swim.  After having coffee in a cafe, it fined up a little, and we pressed on.

We arrived at Harlech Castle, constructed in the late 13th century by King Edward I to defend his rule over the rebellious Welsh.

When we visited last year, there was a rubbishy old temporary bridge leading into the castle.  In the meantime, this nice new one has been built for the admission of tourists.

Inside Harlech Castle...

Carolyn, Neil and Jean outside the main wall.

Atop one of the walk walls.  There are great views from here to Snowdonia National Park.

The main residence inside Harlech Castle

This was the Great Hall.

After Harlech, we drove on to Criccieth where another castle ruin sits at the top of a hill.  Another King Edward I innovation, the castle was meant to suppress the Welsh.  In the long, long term, though, Èdward I's medieval construction of castles is an asset.  It helps bring in the tourists! 

The town of Criccieth from Criccieth Castle.

This is Neil, biting into a piece of British culture - the iconic pork pie!  He took a bit of convincing, though, that the pork pie is eaten cold.  

First day of summer

Yesterday, we gave Carolyn and Neil, who arrived two days ago at Cardiff Airport, a tour of the town of Aberystwyth.  First, we stopped at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

At the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, exhibitions take place all the time.  Also taking place was a lot of drilling by work men.  We decided, therefore, to have coffee somewhere less noisy - the National Library of Wales!

At the National Library of Wales is the Nanteos Cup, or what's left of it.  Centuries old, it is said to be the cup that Christ drank from with his disciples during the last supper.  It seems to be the remains of a wooden bowl rather than a cup, and is housed within a glass cabinet at the Library.

Some very old texts are also housed at the Library.  This one relates to the time of King Richard III.

We parked on Victoria Terrace, kicked the bar, and walked along the Promenade.  Keen Hinterland fans, Neil and Carolyn recalled scenes from that show depicting the town's seafront.  We also showed them Fishermen's Steps, which features in one of the episodes.

We walked to Aberystwyth Castle, over 700 years old, and strolled within its boundaries.

At the top of Great Darkgate Street, the main street in town, is this small square.  Here, a busker entertains the locals in the bright sunshine.

A referendum is taking place on 23 June 2016 to decide whether Britain will remain in the European Union.  This local business supports the 'Remain' camp - so do I!

Some parts of the town are pretty.  This scene is near the new library...

...this one is near North Parade..

We popped down to Clarach, by the sea, a popular spot for holiday makers.

We also popped to Borth, a few short miles from Aberystwyth.  Borth railway station features in an episode of Hinterland.

While in Borth, we drove the short distance to Ynyslas, where there is a lot of sand.  Ynyslas is where the river Dyfi forms an estuary between Ynyslas and the town of Aberdyfi.  Neil peers across to Aberdyfi in the distance.